2026 Holiday Art Fair – Call for Vendors

Click Here for Complete Details and to Apply!

Important Dates

  • Submission Deadline: October 4, 2026
  • Announcement Date: October 15, 2026
  • Event Dates: November 21 – November 22, 2026

Application Fee 

$14.00

Juried Awards: 

The Holiday Art Fair is a juried exhibition. A jury will select participating artists and recognize outstanding work with the following awards:

  • Best in Show: $250
  • Runner Up: $200
  • People’s Choice: $125

Submission Categories

  • Prints/Wall Art
  • Paper Goods/Stationery 
  • Textiles/Fiber/Clothing
  • Ceramics/Sculpture/3D
  • Jewelry
  • Accessories
  • Candles/Self Care Items
  • Vintage Items
  • Packaged Goods (Food)
  • Pet Items
  • Toys/Plush
  • Other

Description

Call for Vendors – Holiday Art Fair at Riverside Arts Center

 

Riverside Arts Center is now accepting vendor applications for our annual Holiday Art Fair, a vibrant indoor market celebrating handmade goods, vintage treasures, and small-batch artisan products. We’re looking for a diverse mix of artists, makers, collectors, and premade food vendors to join us for the fourth annual Holiday Art Fair. Space is limited, and vendor selection will be juried to ensure quality, variety, and fit with the spirit of the event. Early applications are encouraged. Ready to be part of a festive, high-quality holiday market in a beautiful, art-filled space? Apply below!

 

We welcome applications from vendors offering:

  • Original handmade art and craft (prints, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, stationery, accessories, pet items, toys, and more)
  • Curated vintage items (clothing, home goods, accessories, records, collectibles, and ephemera)
  • Handmade candles and self-care products (candles, soaps, skincare, bath products, etc.)
  • Small-batch packaged foods (baked goods, jams, teas, spice blends, candies, and other shelf-stable goods)

This is a non-commissioned event. Vendors pay a flat tabling fee and retain 100% of their sales.

Location: Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St. Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Event Dates/Times: Saturday, November 21, 2026, 11AM-6PM; and Sunday, November 22, 2026, 11AM-4PM.

Fee: $130 for a 6ft or $95 for a 4ft table

*A nonrefundable fee of $14 applies to all applications.

Your application and vendor fees are not just event costs. They directly power Riverside’s mission to sustain and grow the arts in Ypsilanti and Washtenaw County, supporting year-round exhibitions, classes, and artist opportunities.

2026 Holiday Art Fair Poster Design by Natalie Liu.

 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Vendor Type: Open to vendors offering original handmade goods, curated vintage items, or small-batch packaged food. Resale of mass-produced, drop-shipped, or third-party merchandise is not permitted. MLMs and commercial retail products are not eligible.
  • AI Use:
    • Generative AI: Riverside Arts Center will not accept artwork that uses generative AI to create, or assist in the creation of images, designs, text, or other creative content, whether in whole or in part.
    • AI Disclosure: If AI tools of any kind are used at any stage in the design, editing, or production of your work, you must disclose that use in your application and briefly describe how the technology was used. This disclosure is required even when the AI use is not generative and does not automatically disqualify the work from consideration.
    • Applications found to have misrepresented the use of AI or collaborators may be withdrawn from consideration.Handmade Goods: Items must be the original work of the applicant and reflect their own creative authorship. Collaborative work is permitted with disclosure. 
  • Vintage Goods: Vintage items must be presented in a clean, intentional display. Reproductions, faux-vintage, and mass-market products are not permitted.
  • Food Vendors: All food items must be packaged, shelf-stable, and comply with Michigan Cottage Food Law or be produced in a licensed kitchen. No on-site cooking, hot food, or refrigeration unless explicitly pre-approved.
  • Presentation & Safety: All vendors must keep their area neat, safe, and within the designated space. Riverside Arts Center provides one 6-foot or 4-foot table and two chairs per vendor. Vendors may bring additional display items that fit their footprint and comply with safety/accessibility standards. Please be respectful of your neighbors’ space!
  • Location: Open to local, regional, and national vendors. Preference may be given to vendors based in Southeastern Michigan to support our community-focused mission.
  • Vendors under 18: A parent or guardian must co-sign the vendor application and any participation agreements, and must be listed as the responsible adult on the account. The parent or guardian must also be physically present at the vendor’s booth for the entire duration of the event (both days, all hours). Riverside Arts Center will not permit a minor vendor to staff a booth unaccompanied at any point.

Application Requirements

Please submit the following:

    1. Contact Information
      • Full name
      • Email address
      • Phone number
      • Mailing address
    2. Vendor Description
      • 2–4 sentence description of what you will be selling
      • Indicate whether your items are handmade, vintage, or food (or a mix)
      • Note any special requests (e.g., electricity, wall placement, ADA needs)
    3. Product Images
      • 3–5 clear photos of your products and/or booth setup
      • Images should accurately represent the work you intend to sell. Significant changes to your product line after acceptance may require approval from Riverside Arts Center.
    4. Web or Social Links (optional)
      • Website, Instagram, or other platforms where your work is visible. Please provide social media links as urls (for example: www.instagram.com/rac.ypsi)
  • Providing these details significantly aids in the jurying process!
    • For Food Vendors Only
      • Indicate if your products are made under Michigan Cottage Food Law or in a licensed kitchen
      • Confirm that all products will be packaged and labeled with ingredients and allergens

    Rules and Terms

    • Sales and Commissions
        • Vendors retain 100% of their sales.
        • Riverside Arts Center does not process sales on behalf of vendors.
        • Vendors must manage their own payment systems (cash, card readers, payment apps, etc.).
        • Vendors are responsible for collecting and reporting their own sales tax.
    • Tabling Fee and Equipment
        • A flat fee of $130 or $95 is required to confirm participation.
        • Each vendor is provided one 6 ft or 4 ft table.
        • Additional display furniture must be pre-approved and must not exceed the space footprint.
    • Event Schedule
        • Load-in begins at 11AM on November 20, 2026 and goes until 7PM. Additional load in time is November 21, 2026 from 8:30AM until 10:30AM
        • All vendors must be fully set up by 10:30AM Saturday, November 21.
        • Breakdown begins only after the event ends at 4PM on Sunday; early breakdown is not permitted.
    • Food Regulations
        • All food items must comply with Michigan’s Cottage Food Law or be made in a licensed kitchen.
        • Products must be labeled clearly with ingredients and allergen information.
        • No open food samples, hot food, or beverages unless otherwise approved in writing. Please talk to us if you’d like to give out samples!
    • Conduct and Safety
        • Vendors must remain for the full event and staff their booth at all times.
        • Displays must not block walkways or pose safety hazards.
        • Riverside Arts Center reserves the right to remove vendors who do not comply with the event standards or who misrepresent their products.
    • Refunds and Cancellations
        • Tabling fees are non-refundable unless the event is canceled by Riverside Arts Center.
        • If you are unable to attend after confirming, please notify us as soon as possible so your spot may be reassigned.
      1. Promotion and Image Use 
        • By submitting an application, the vendor grants RAC permission to photograph and use images of their products and booth for promotional, publicity, grant reporting, and archival purposes. 
        • Copyright remains with the vendor. RAC will credit the vendor whenever practical when images are used publicly.
    • Liability
      • Vendors are responsible for their own merchandise and payment systems.
      • Riverside Arts Center is not liable for lost, stolen, or damaged goods, nor for any vendor sales outcomes.
      • Cash may not be left overnight in the facility. While the building will be securely locked on Friday and Saturday night, we strongly advise against leaving any high-value items or items of personal significance. Riverside Arts Center is not responsible for any items that are lost or stolen.

    Additional Files

    Product/booth Images

    Additional Questions

    1. What type of work do you primarily sell?
    2. What is the price range of your work? (Dollar Amount)
    3. Links to website and/or social media
    4. Which booth size are you interested in? (6ft or 4ft)
    5. In 1-2 sentences, describe what makes your work unique! Please write in the third person. This will be copied and pasted as your vendor highlight if you are selected as a vendor.
    6. AI Tools Disclosure (if used)

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